A guardian at the harbour of Poros
On the eastern side of Poros harbour stands Bourtzi, a small islet covering about 0.3 hectares. Its name comes from the Turkish word burç, derived from the Arabic burj, meaning tower or fortress. During Ottoman times the word was used to describe coastal castles built on islets to control harbour entrances.
Bourtzi appears to have held strategic importance as early as the Byzantine era, when it served as a naval base. The Byzantine admiral Nasar, during the reign of Emperor Basil I the Macedonian, used it as a base for operations against the Saracens.
The last fortress—ruins of which still survive today—was built by the Bavarian Carl Wilhelm von Heideck, who arrived in Greece in 1826 and later served as head of the Funds Raiser Committee. Under Ioannis Kapodistrias, he was appointed commander of Nafplio, oversaw the restoration of several fortresses, and constructed a stronghold on Bourtzi after demolishing the Church of Agios Konstantinos that once stood there. In 1831, Admiral Andreas Miaoulis seized the small fortress in order to control the strait with his artillery, turning against Kapodistrias from this strategic position.
During the Second World War, Bourtzi was used as an ammunition depot by occupying forces, and later also served the Greek Navy as a powder magazine.
Today, it has been designated a preserved historical monument.
Bourtzi appears to have held strategic importance as early as the Byzantine era, when it served as a naval base. The Byzantine admiral Nasar, during the reign of Emperor Basil I the Macedonian, used it as a base for operations against the Saracens.
The last fortress—ruins of which still survive today—was built by the Bavarian Carl Wilhelm von Heideck, who arrived in Greece in 1826 and later served as head of the Funds Raiser Committee. Under Ioannis Kapodistrias, he was appointed commander of Nafplio, oversaw the restoration of several fortresses, and constructed a stronghold on Bourtzi after demolishing the Church of Agios Konstantinos that once stood there. In 1831, Admiral Andreas Miaoulis seized the small fortress in order to control the strait with his artillery, turning against Kapodistrias from this strategic position.
During the Second World War, Bourtzi was used as an ammunition depot by occupying forces, and later also served the Greek Navy as a powder magazine.
Today, it has been designated a preserved historical monument.
